By DAYO ADESULU

The Pro-chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode has called on the Federal Government to include private universities on its agenda for the development of high level manpower for the nation. He noted that the call was imperative because of the role private institutions play in revamping the education sector.

“It is an undeniable fact that the nation needs the services of the products of private universities which are partners with government in meeting well-defined social needs,” he said. According to him, government at all levels should as a matter of duty support private educational institutions, in recognition of their role in producing much needed supply of future leaders with the right orientation and commitment to the early emergence of a truly great country.

Onosode who made this plea at the 7th convocation and 10th anniversary of Bowen University where 33 students out of 1001 graduands made first class said, “Our nation is in dire need of quality leadership that would make a positive difference.” He urged the graduands to make use of  the academic and moral trainings they have received in school, stressing that it will stand them in good stead for quality leadership.

Also speaking in the same vein, the Vice-Chancellor of Bowen, Professor Timothy Olagbemiro and Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of private universities in Nigeria said, “I have made several appeals to government through the print and electronic media and here at our convocation forums for provision of grant-in-aids through Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFUND) to private universities just as it is being made to federal and state universities.”

Olagbemiro said he recalled that in 2010 and 2011 when private universities pleaded with the Federal Government that the grant-in-aid should be made to private universities in form of 2.5 per cent loans made payable over time, to assist them in the provisions of vital infrastructure and equipment necessary for effective teaching and dignified student campus life.

According to him, the source of the TETFund-generated revenue is from the private sector, adding,

“The number of private universities now surpass that of federal and state universities. More are still coming and with time, Nigeria will have no choice but to reckon with them.”   Nigerian policy makers, the Vice-Chancellor reiterated, must realise that products of these institutions will eventually join the workforce of this nation.

H e said; The way and manner we train and equip students will determine their productivity. We need to learn from each other. A host of these private institutions, including Bowen University, are by far better organised, stronger academically, morally sound and better managed than the host of the institutions being soaked with public funds.

What private universities need is encouragement and financial assistance to better their lot and add substantial value to the lives of Nigeria’s teeming youths.”  To do less, Olagbemiro maintained that we as a nation are merely dreaming dreams and may never witness sustained economic development, technological advancement and true political emancipation as a nation, particularly with the present global trends and challenges.

Also, Rev (Dr.) Williams Ojo, an 89-year-old retired Baptist Church minister, who served as a Baptist minister for about 40 years, was conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by Bowen University at the institution’s 7th convocation ceremony last weekend.